FOX VALLEY (WFRV) – Ticks are showing up earlier in the year, and 1000 Islands Environmental Center naturalist Brad Garrity said there’s a reason why.
Storm Team 5’s Jordan Lamers visits Greenville Middle School for weather chat with students
“We are seeing more year to year and also an increase in the hosts, the white mice, that host the ticks,” Garrity said. “That’s creating an increase in what we are seeing in the woods.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year over half a million Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne illness; however, this year, conditions are driving these numbers up.
“It’s earlier and earlier, so we are not surprised when we see it in March,” Brown County Public Health Deputy Health Officer Katrina Nordyke said.
Nordyke says that people may typically think it doesn’t actually happen until the summer or May at the earliest, but that’s untrue, urging people to be safe outside.
“We are certainly seeing those bites and ticks out and active, so you should use caution if you’re outside,” Nordyke said.
The combination of warmer weather and more host animals creates the perfect environment for ticks to thrive.
Nordyke said preventive measures will help tremendously to combat ticks, specifically citing some simple changes.
“ [Use] insect repellent, [wear] long sleeves, and light colored clothing,” Nordyke said. “Check for ticks before you go inside, check underarms, behind knees, scalp and belly buttons.”
Garrity said if, after being outside, you see a tick, safe removal is key.
“If you see a tick, use a twister and pull up so they don’t break off,” Garrity said.
Common signs of a possible tick-borne illness or tick bite are headaches, joint pain, fever, and a bull’s-eye type rash.
ThedaCare Emergency physician William Kumprey urges people to stay aware to protect themselves and others around, especially as the weather warms up.
Storm Team 5’s Nathan Himpsl gives weather presentation to local students
“Unless there’s snow on the ground and it’s persistently under 40 degrees, we need to worry about them,” Kumprey said.
Health officials say anyone concerned about a tick bite or possible Lyme disease symptoms should reach out to a health care professional for guidance on testing and treatment.
